Mobile phone credit check help!

Bonuk

Ok Ive applied for a mobile phone contract with orange and they want a £50 deposit which I wont get back for 6 months. The only reason they gave was because of my credit rating.

I pay off my credit card bill every month and have no debt or loans, Ive checked my credit rating and all is ok. Is this the same for all networks or just orange?

or is there an credit card I can apply for to boost my rating, that wont turn me down due to all these credit checks?

wobbley

I had the same several years ago with what was then Cellnet but I had to pay £300 for 1 year. It turned out that a certain department at my Building Society had done a check when I deposited a £1500 cheque (?). The department's name was on the credit check so that anyone looking at it saw the words "Fraud Investigation Dept". To say I was livid was a bit of an understatement! My actual credit score was fine but anyone looking at it obviously saw the word "fraud" and naturally thought it was dodgy.

I paid the money and got it back on time with no problems. I don't think it's a common thing but I have heard of a few people who have been asked to pay a deposit on a contract phone so I don't think you're being singled out or anything.

I think they have to pay interest on it though - ask them how much if you do pay it.

Bonuk

Thanks for replying, I think the problem is with orange as I havent had much trouble with credit checks before. It might also be because its a 10 month free contract. Ill try o2 to see if they ask for it and also see if ill get any intrest! .

MrGreen

Bonuk wrote:

I think the problem is with orange as I havent had much trouble with credit checks before. It might also be because its a 10 month free contract.

The 10 months free that you mention is a deal the shop/online store are offering you as a cashback deal and this would not have anything to do with the credit check. If the contract is a good deal why not just pay the £50 (you'll get it back) and it might improve your credit score.
Orange have done a credit check and if you try for an o2 contract then they will also do a credit check and too many credit checks in a short space of time does not look good on your credit file.

rash.m2k

I had to pay £100 when I got a contract with O2. They'll give it me back in 2 months time.

Also Orange keep rejecting me cos of my credit rating - don't have one you see.